March 30,2012

ST. LOUIS, MO to ALBUQUERQUE, NM

This is a travel day. On my drive from Memphis to St. Louis yesterday, I spent the night at the Comfort Inn in Perryville, Missouri.

This morning I took a short tour of the city before heading on to St. Louis.

Perry County Courthouse (1904)

I arrived in St. Louis about 10:00 a.m., returned my car to the rental agency, and took a cab to the airport.

I left on Southwest Airlines about 1:30 p.m. and arrived in Albuquerque about 4:00 p.m.

I rented another car and drove to my hotel.

Tonight I had pizza and beer at JC'S New York Pizza Department on Central Ave NW at 3rd St in Old Town. I sat on the patio and watched the people go by. There were several vintage cars from the 1950's and lots of motorcycles cruising slowly and many interesting-looking people walking by. It was a balmy evening, the pace was slow, and the people were friendly. Albuquerque has its version of "critical mass," but there were only about 30 cyclists, they were curtious, and they were having fun.

My hotel, The Hotel Blue in Old Town, provides Swedish Tempur-Pedic beds in each room as well as an artificial fireplace - the "flames" are mesmorizing.

I definately have a very good first impression of Albuquerque. Tomorrow I'll explore it further.